Warriner's Hockey Station is Building Chatham-Kent's Next Hockey Stars
Youth at Sweet Hands Station - Photo by Ian Kennedy
Chatham, ON – It’s a hockey players dream. Standing in the middle of Todd Warriner’s Hockey Station, you see NHL memorabilia, nets in every corner, pucks on the ice, an indoor artificial rink, inclined skating ramp, and even dressing rooms.
In essence, it is a dream for many hockey players and also, a place where young hockey players are working hard to achieve their dreams. Todd Warriner’s Hockey Station has been designed to help Chatham-Kent players build better skating, stick handling, and shooting skills, while training their balance, speed, core strength, and agility.
Youth on the Incline Skating Ramp - Photo by Ian Kennedy
“Once kids get here, they love it, and they begin to see the benefits,” said Warriner, who is a former Olympic silver medalist, and NHL player for several teams including the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning.
The former 4th overall NHL draft pick who was once seen as one of the most skilled hockey prospects in the world, is now helping other young hockey players from all levels get stronger, faster, and to develop the skills necessary to take their game to a higher level.
“Seth Griffith trained with us all last summer,” said Warriner, “and you can see his skating and strength have improved.”
Griffith, a star forward for the OHL’s London Knights and Wallaceburg native, is now receiving consideration for this year’s NHL draft after showing drastic improvements in his game following a summer of training and development. Currently, Warriner is also giving private lessons at the Hockey Station to a group of young ‘AAA’ prospects from across Chatham-Kent.
Warriner’s Hockey Station will be running several camps in the coming months including a puck skills camp in May, skill development in July, power skating in August, and potentially checking and goaltending camps. Private lessons are also available at any time and the Hockey Station hosts open skates every Tuesday and Thursday.
Although these camps focus on improving the on ice product, Warriner says it is the change of scenery, and the cross training his facility provides, that help’s hockey players really take their game up a notch.
“I think it’s important to take time away from regular hockey, and to stay active and fit, in order to prepare for the next season. Playing games isn’t enough anymore. Here, you can still work on your skills, but in a different way.”
Currently the Hockey Station is also home to an Indoor Soccer League, something Warriner says is another great way to stay in shape, and improve your foot work. Although Warriner’s Hockey Station is used by the areas brightest and best hockey prospects, it isn’t just for elite hockey players. The Station is designed to offer benefits in a fun and supportive environment, for young athletes of all ages and ability levels.
To learn more about Todd Warriner’s Hockey Station, visit his website at www.hockeystation.ca/ or call the station at 519-350-6676.
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I’ve taken my kids here twice in the last few months. It really is a “dream” for them. It’s like a hockey playground. Both times they’ve been there they bring something home they’ve learned and apply.
You have to like hearing, “Dad, Todd told me I need to keep my head up when I stickhandle” as we’re playing road hockey in our driveway. It shows they learned, enjoyed, and are using their new skills.